Detroit One Collaboration Leads to Racketeering Indictment of Violent Gang Members from Detroit's Eastside

Friday, November 10, 2017 15:01

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The collaboration of local, state, and federal law enforcement under the Detroit One program has led to the investigation and racketeering indictment involving thirteen members of the violent eastside Detroit street gang, Smokecamp, a/k/a Original Paid Bosses (or OPB), Acting United States Attorney Daniel L. Lemisch announced.

According to the indictment unsealed today, the gang operates on the east side of Detroit, specifically the area in and around Albion Street and Seven Mile, an area Smokecamp/OPB members refer to as “ABlock.” This area is within a larger territory on Detroit’s east side claimed by the Bloods street gang known as the “Red Zone.” The gang has modified its name multiple times throughout the years going from “Runyon Boys” to “Original Paid Bosses” to “Paid Bosses Inc.” to “Smokecamp.”

While known to engage in robberies and extortion, the gang makes its money predominantly through the sale of narcotics, including cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, marijuana, ecstacy, and other prescription pills. According to the indictment, the gang regularly sold these controlled substances on the “ABlock,” outside of vacant houses known as “trap houses,” and businesses in the area of Seven Mile and Albion. Additionally, between approximately 2014 – 2015, Smokecamp/OPB members regularly sold controlled substances from an apartment complex on East Seven Mile, which they branded the “Plaga,” sharing workers and firearms to distribute and protect their narcotics. However, this activity was not confined only to Detroit with some of their members traveling to Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio to sell their narcotics.

Under the Detroit One Initiative, and through the lead efforts of the ATF and Detroit Police Department Gang Intelligence Unit, along with the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Michigan Department of Corrections, investigators were able to identify the members of this particular gang while investigating a similar gang on Detroit’s westside and piece together the varied criminal misconduct of the Smokecamp/OPB organization.

Charged today are:

Korey Sanders, a/k/a “No Loan Corleon,” “Stax,” 26, of Detroit, with RICO conspiracy and willful engagement in firearms business without a license;

Jerray Key, a/k/a “Chino,” “Dre,” 28, of Canton, with RICO conspiracy and willful engagement in firearms business without a license;

Hakeem Bunnell, a/k/a “LB Dub,” 24, of Detroit, with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and possession of a firearm during, and in relation to, a crime of violence;

Keenan Nielbock, a/k/a “Dolla,” “Keno” 30, of Taylor, with RICO conspiracy and willful engagement in firearms business without a license;

Tyree Williams, a/k/a “Snoop,” 24, of Detroit, with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and possession of a firearm during, and in relation to, a crime of violence;

Carlos Davis, a/k/a “Los,” “Loso,” 24, of Detroit with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, possession of a firearm during, and in relation to, a crime of violence, and willful engagement in firearms business without a license.

Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel L. Lemisch said, “This indictment is the latest in a string of cases charging violent gang members in the City of Detroit. We are grateful to the Detroit One collaborative of law enforcement, who are all dedicated to improving the lives of the residents of Detroit.”

“ATF remains relentless in the effort to disrupt violent gangs operating in Detroit neighborhoods so law-abiding citizens can live in peace,” said ATF Detroit Acting Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson. “This investigation is another example of how by working together, the Detroit One Initiative is making a difference.”

“Ensuring the safety and security of our residents in the city of Detroit is our number one priority. With the collaborative efforts of Detroit One partnership, we will continue our efforts to target and dismantle gangs, as well as, other violent offenders that pose a threat to the safety and wellbeing of our city,” said Chief James Craig.

Detroit One is a collaborative effort between law enforcement and the community to reduce homicide and other violent crime in Detroit. By working collaboratively, local, state, and federal law enforcement is striving to maximize its ability to identify and arrest the persons and groups initiating the violence in Detroit. This indictment is the latest in a string of indictments or informations from the United States Attorney’s Office and Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office over the last five years involving violent street gangs in the city of Detroit, including:

- Twenty members of the Seven Mile Blood street gang for federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering;

- Nine members of the Bounty Hunter Bloods street gang for federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering;

- Fourteen members of the Rollin’ 60s Crips street gang for federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering;

- Thirteen members of the Latin Counts street gang for federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering;

- Fourteen members of the Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club / Vice Lords street gang for federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering;

- Four Vice Lord members in state court for armed robbery and a Vice Lord leader charged under the federal street gang statute for his role in that armed robbery;

- Nine Vice Lords members for racketeering charges stemming from the shooting of four individuals at their family residence on Detroit’s northwest side;

- Three members of the Band Crew street gang charged under the state of Michigan gang felony statute for violent acts in furtherance of their gang activities and eight members of the Band Crew for federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering;

- Ten members of the RTM street gang for federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering;

- Four members of the Bandgang street gang charged under the state of Michigan gang felony statute for conspiracy to commit murder and assaults with intent to commit murder and eighteen members/associates of Bandgang in federal court for access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, firearms, and obstruction of justice;

- Three members of the A1Killers street gang for federal narcotics offenses;

- Eleven members of the 6Mile Chedda Grove street gang for federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering; and

- Four members of the HNIC street gang for violent acts in aid of racketeering.

These charges are just some more of the tangible and significant results of this joint effort. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.